Preparing for Windows 7

[James]

First of all this ME2 image:



It's just to keep MainMan happy.

Now the topic:

Within the few weeks I'm going to make the move from XP to 7, because it's about time after avoiding the shit storm of Vista.

I want to prepare though as I know absolutely shit on where I should start. I'm going to get a 1TB internal and more RAM but I don't know how to go about with these things.

The first, not really a big problem, but I need to know what's suitable partition size for the system directory. I just need to make sure I have the correct size to mainly install the OS and programs there. Also I sure hope it is possible to change my documents and settings from default to another partition because like fuck am I going to fill up c:\ with Sims 3 saves.

RAM. I would assume the standard is 4GB which is easily obtainable but I already own 2 1GB sticks, for performance should I replace these with 2 2GB sticks or some other method as I worry if cache plays some kind of role.

Now for the operating system itself, what do I want to do when I have 7, what's good to have around and can I mess with the default settings to make it nice, not annoying and increase performance?

This topic is vague as fuck but I don't give a toss so here's another image.

[Mr. Tastix]

I use 4gb of RAM and it's fine for me. As for changing default directories? Bit iffy, I don't know how to do that for game saves. I have all my documents and musics set up on other partitions but game files get saved to other areas too. I also found it far easier to put the Temp files on a separate partition (I do the same for the page file too).

I have 5 partitions. One is the OS itself, the other 4 are for Utilities (pretty much any software but games), Games, Music/Documents and Videos and other shit (I have a 640gb HDD, the last partition is about 275gb as it's just leftover space, good since my Downloads folder is like 50gb atm).

My OS partition is 25gb in size. Don't use that size. In fact, I would change it if I could but I can't be fucked doing so, might do it later. The OS itself takes up about 15gb of that but because of shit like game saves and because Blizzard don't like to save their freaken patches to the Temp folder but to the Public Users folder instead (I dunno how to change it's path location outside of the registry, personally) so it can get full fast.

I'd personally raise my OS partition to 50gb just because I have that much space to spare and because, even though it's unlikely I'd ever need THAT much for the OS, you can never been too sure. I've been fucked over in the past cause of such simple but overlooked bullcrap.

[MainMan]

First of all this ME2 image:

[img]bull[/img]

It's just to keep MainMan happy.

I don't even check the gaming forum usually so normally I wouldn't have even seen the reference!

[James]

But you did so yeah

[clyzm]

OS partition >80GB

Backup all data

4GB and above is necessary for 64-bit, you can get 32-bit and you'll be fine

I would get 8GB but that's cus I only use it for Photoshop/C4D. I tried with 4GB and theoretically you can play a game like ME2 while running a virus scan/going in Photoshop/browsing Alpha and it will still work fine.

You can mess around with some default settings for visuals (i.e. make taskbar transparent, colorful, matching desktop BG, etc.) There's also this Windows Movie Maker Beta which is pretty shit but other than that I see no big differences. Windows search for drivers has also significantly improved I think, because I was able to get audio drivers for my built-in after like 5 seconds of searching with Windows Update.

Buy official version of Windows 7 because a pirated release candidate (i.e. the one i'm using) expires in 2 days.

Keep in mind Windows 7 64-bit uses about 1.05 - 1.35gb at any given time to just run itself, you can lower this to about 700-900 MB if you turn off Aero and other stuff like Firewall

Also some of my USB ports that were not recognized in XP were auto recognized in Windows 7 which was pretty cool.

As for the documents/defaults changed to another location, I don't know much about that tbh. When I first installed Windows 7 i just put all of my games in my c:\program files folder (default directory when installing) and it clogged up fast to the point I almost completely filled up a 900GB hard drive. You can pick where to install games but the save/screenshots folder will always be in C:\ i think. (STALKER/All Bioware games do this automatically for some reason)

Otherwise its basically Vista without the useless shit

[Dex]

Buy official version of Windows 7 because a pirated release candidate (i.e. the one i'm using) expires in 2 days.

Funny. I'm using a pirated RC and it's not planning to expire ever.

[clyzm]

you sure its 7100 (Release Candidate) ?

All will expire in 2 days, unless you got an extender of 120 days.

[Dex]

you sure its 7100 (Release Candidate) ?

All will expire in 2 days, unless you got an extender of 120 days.

Oh sorry, I mixed up the version, I have the RTM (latest version, same as retail)

But yeah, why would he need to buy an official version when he could just pirate the RTM\Retail version, unless there is an active anti-piracy law in liverpool?

[Siva]

Get shit on pc
put shit on ext hard drive if you give a fuck about keepin
install 7
remove shit from windows.old file to your proper folders
restore shit from ext hard drive

4x1GB 2x2GB doesnt matter there will be no difference

[clyzm]

4x1GB 2x2GB doesnt matter there will be no difference

4x1gb is slower

[Mr. Tastix]

Buy official version of Windows 7 because a pirated release candidate (i.e. the one i'm using) expires in 2 days.

Yes... "buy" it, lol.

[James]

im going to hit my computer with a hammer tomorrow wish me luck i dnno how to instal cooler do i whtorow it at comptuer what is ram is this ram compatible wshwt r u doin new processor maore like gay processor LMAO mobo wots one of dem eya wot?????????????

[James]

oh god im flying without wings what am i doing

[MainMan]

reformatting probably, thats what

[James]

I HAVE CONQUERED IT

[MainMan]

because you wanted me to

[James]

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz (@ 4.00Ghz)
ATI 4890 (ASUS)
Abit IP35 (Intel P35+ICH9R)
DDR2, PC2-6400 (400 MHz), 2048 MBytes, Corsair x 2
and a fat cooler that plays dubstep because it doesn't give a fuck

[clyzm]

Whats your PSU like?

i would also invest in some directx 11 cards or save up some money for them in the future - the 5770 is a popular choice nowadays

[James]

Corsair TX 650W ATX

[clyzm]

SAME ONE I HAVE BROOOOOO

[Kaiden]

THAT FORUM SKIN IS INFERIOR TO NICE BRIGHT FORUM SKIN.

Just got a new computer recently too, Quad Q8800 or something, 4GB ram, let down by crappy graphics card though.

[James]

THAT FORUM SKIN IS INFERIOR TO NICE BRIGHT FORUM SKIN.

gendo hands.jpg

[MainMan]

THAT FORUM SKIN IS INFERIOR TO NICE BRIGHT FORUM SKIN.

>SHIT
>BATMOBILE
>LOOKS LIKE
>http://dxalpha.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15530

[Camille]

Is there a difference between Windows 7 OEM and Retail versions?

Thanks

[Dae]

Are you a spam bot, by chance? (Sorry for not so warm welcome if you're not)

Windows 7 OEM drops activation once you change hardware of a computer, such as motherboard. You can, however, reactivate it by calling Microsoft and using automated phone activation (discovered myself, worked a treat several times). I also heard stores that Microsoft phone support people can help to reactivate your copy as well, if you explain what happened.

OEM comes in a not-so-pretty box and should actually be sold exclusively to computer manufacturers.

[Camille]

No... I just registered here a few years ago but I never posted. I visited randomly after reading some Deus Ex 3 things in a journal and saw this thread. Sorry if I'm spamming!

I only ask because I have seen OEM windows 7 much cheaper than Retail. What do you mean "drops activation"? The key doesn't work? Are there features missing once you activate the OEM version?

[Dae]

What do you mean "drops activation"?

If you change motherboard of the computer (or move/clone hard drives to another computer), OEM Windows will deactivate itself in an hour or so. You will be able to use the computer for 3 days only unless you activate it.

If you change motherboard for the first time, it might be able to reactivate back (you'll have to press the button "activate your Windows copy", it won't even ask for a key). Else, it will fail to reactivate and say that "probably your copy is used on more than one computer". But as I said earlier, you can solve that too.

Are there features missing once you activate the OEM version?

No, other than issues with reactivation, OEM is indistinguishable from a retail version.

Personally, when I choose to use a legal copy of Windows, I buy an OEM box.

[Dae]

On an unrelated note, bye Mainman.

[clyzm]

How did you figure it was him?

[Mr. Tastix]

Just posting a larger more in-depth version of what Dae said.

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, it refers to the company that originally manufactured the product (usually). OEM (in this scenario) generally refers to a company that purchases components from one company and then sells them in their own products. In this case, it would be manufacturers (such as Dell, HP/Compaq, ASUS, etc) having the license to use the Windows 7 OS in their pre-built laptop and desktop computers.

When used by computer manufacturers you'll find they generally come with a lot of pre-installed crap you don't need (aka bloatware) as well as information on the computer manufacturer (name, address, etc). They tend to lock out certain BIOS settings as well (most likely because they don't want inexperienced people fucking with them and then calling them saying their PC doesn't work). The Operating System itself, as Dae said, is also locked onto that model computer and it won't work on another system.

Generally, you're not going to find it on the shelves, and if you do I wouldn't waste my money on it. They can be installed on any system but come with a few restrictions. You may not receive technical support from Microsoft, you can't upgrade from one OS to another (so you have to reformat, but Microsoft recommend doing this for Windows 7 anyway) and (this is the main problem), once installed on a machine it can never be installed on another machine nor can you replace the motherboard as it kills the activation (as Dae said). Meaning the OS won't be activated or considered a genuine Microsoft product until it is.

They're cheaper, but they're not worth it cause I like upgrading my PC without the hassle.

Personally, when I choose to use a legal copy of Windows, I buy an OEM box.

Personal preference, I suppose. Then again... why do I need money when torrents exist?